Last night's episode was wonderful...it was just amazing. Iroh and Zuko really make a team...but that Zhao. I have to admit, I have so much respect for the Admiral now. He really is so desperate to destroy Zuko that itis just wonderful...so much dedication for something stupid. Poor Zhao...but hey this is what I call a truevillian.
Recap:
Zuko receives a disturbing dream of what became of Jet after he left. Alive and breathing the rebel takes the medicine along with his comrade's warm blood. Realizing that the he killed and drank one of his comrade's blood, he goes toward a dagger to end his own life. Shortly he was stopped by Zhao and the Admiral soon figures out that Jet is no other than Zuko's lover. Taking this opportunity, Zhao takes the ranting rebel to his own ship. Zuko then wakes up to find himself in Aunt Wu's care. His future is told, telling him that he will fall in love with a woman soon… Later he is tirelessly asked about his feelings to Jet…who he thinks died out of natural causes while Aunt Wu believes he truly died in Zuko.
"Dropping on his knees he cradled Smellerbee's blood-streaked face in his arms and buried his own head in the crook of Smellerbee's neck. "Oh god…what have I done?" the rebel whispered as the blood that still remained in his mouth began to turn sour. Gently caressing Smellerbee's dark-brown hairwith strands stuck together with dried blood, Jet carefully placed his back on the ground."
Chapter Ten: Frostbite
The fire began to die down slowly and quietly just like Zuko's spirit as facts began to sink in. He felt torn, divided, lost and confused…he countinued to ask himself how his life could be any worse. Rubbing his hands together he stood up and looked past Aunt Wu, not trusting to meet the elderly woman's gaze. For every time he looked at her eyes he saw his uncle and the great wisdom behind those compassionate eyes. It was sickening.
"I should probably head back to my ship." the prince broke through the silence that weaved around the room tightly. The fortuneteller nodded her head in agreement and also stood up. Dropping her arms to her side, her coral-colored sleeves rippled in the air by this movement and seemed to have a life of its own. Motioning toward the door, the fortuneteller opened it quietly as she watched the exiled prince exit.
"The ports are not far away…with that proud bird of yours you should be there in a matter of minuets. Just go west and then follow the shore line, heading up north of course. I'll have Meng go fetch your companion." Aunt Wu spoke as she waited for Zuko to place his boots on, but the sound of scurrying footsteps could be heard not to far away.
Out of the corner of his eye, Zuko spotted a young girl with wild hair placed up on her small head. Large dark eyes met his questioning gaze, but the girl just smiled at him and smoothed out her plum kimono. "You called, Aunt Wu?" the girl asked and the prince instantly knew this must be Meng.
"Yes, will you go fetch are guest's ride?" the fortuneteller asked in a pleasant tone as the prince got up in a composed manner. The prince watched the young girl skip away as she gave a quick glance at Zuko once more. Sighing heavily he turned to Aunt Wu who was holding a small leather bag. The aroma of food drifted lazily into his nostrils and he had to restrain himself from drooling. It has been days since the prince ate…and this was temptation finally teasing him again.
"Here, this is for your ride back to your ship. There is a loaf of fresh bread, dried meat and some of my tasty snacks inside. I know the ride will be short but I know you are starving and have not eaten in days. You may choose to eat now or wait…it is up to you." she answered to the prince's hungry gaze as the bag was given to Zuko.
Mumbling his thanks he waited until the fortuneteller disappeared into the many halls of the building. Eagerly reaching inside he grabbed out the loaf of bread that was cut in half and ripped the contents with his teeth. Munching with satisfaction he headed outside to see the stupid bird that got him here in the first place. "Bloody bird…" he muttered in distaste as he closed the leather bag.
Meng smiled again at him and handed him the reins, before the prince could leave this quite village the girl muttered a comment. "…I think he has big ears." those words reached the prince's ears in a flash, and he could feel the anger bubbling inside of him. Before he could even have the chance to torch the girl and laugh menacingly at her fried hair, the fortuneteller strode toward him.
"Prince Zuko…I almost forgot to give you your armor." she spoke out in her clear ringing voice as she handed him his crimson armor. "Also another thing…I must ask you a question that might help you. What do you see death as, my dear prince?" she countinued as Zuko strapped on his armor.
"Death?" Zuko asked as he mounted the bird after a few minuets of placing his armor on. Making sure the bag of food was safely resting in between his legs, Zuko answered in a firm tone, "Death is an obstacle that I must get over…" Grabbing the reins that hung limply on top of the bird's armored neck; he averted his gaze toward the bright teal sky.
"Do you think this applies with everyone?" she replied softly as she turned away with Meng by her side. Tapping the bird lightly with his heels he made his way out of the large village that remains hidden from the world's eyes. The dirt road took him to a series of twists and turns but most of all though Aunt Wu's question. Increasing the bird's speed he soon found himself riding along the shore.
The sand swirled behind him like a raging tornado, always going in angry circles and eating up the ground. Just the salty smell of the sea air gave Zuko the feeling of someone opening their arms to him. It was the smell of home and his demise; it was just like love…it was a story of life's betrayal and temptations.
A dark shadow rose from the waters as the prince turned a corner, there was home. The ship loomed by the docks as the small fishing village began to wake up. Pulling back on the reins, the prince jumped off and grabbed the leather bag. With a swift movement the prince pulled his dagger out and stabbed the bird in the armor-less collarbone. The shriek from the dying bird pierced the soft and silent air, Zuko's men dashed on deck to see what was the commotion followed by the villagers peeking their heads out of the doors and windows.
Wiping the blood on the dagger on the ground, he made his way toward the ramp that leads toward the ship's deck. "Prince Zuko is here!" shouted out a voice as the prince stepped on board. Immediately he was embraced by his uncle, making the teen frustrated and flustered.
"Uncle…get off." he mumbled and the retired general quickly did so. Staring at the prince with relief, he pushed the boy inside for a nice refreshing cup of tea. The smell of coal, smoke and metal was already soothing to Zuko's senses but he felt a pang of guilt when he realized he was missing one sweet smell: Jet's earthy smell. Shoulders sagged and spirits diminished, the prince was pushed onto a cushion.
Watching his uncle get the tea ready the prince began in a soft voice, "Uncle…I have something to tell you… The prisoner, Jet, he's…well I…we…the stream." Words seemed to be distant to him, making sure he kept that moment safe and secret from other ears.
Iroh merely smiled and handed the prince a cup of steaming tea. "Drink…the tea will help you calm down. See, doesn't the tea refresh your senses?" the retired general smiled as he placed his cup down. Luckily he did this for the ship jolted roughly and the tea's hot liquid splashed on his nephew's face.
Growling with anger the prince stormed outside on the deck to come face-to-face with a large, gruesome creature and a gorgeous woman riding the creature. But soon Zuko found this out to Jun, a bounty hunter he was willing to use to get the Avatar…
Now to answer the lovely reviews:
Katuko: I'm glad your back! It's good to hear from a familiar reviewer again! Welcome back, again and I'm glad you like the story so far.
Lin13: Well so far it is really not clear if the rebel is alive or not. So that is something Zuko-kun will truely accept or figure out in the future.
TMW: Yes, so do I...but it is what makes readers and myself want to read or write more. Lol, glad you like it!
Cheery43: Thanks! I'm glad you like it!
Almost 60 reviews! Wootness! Keep it up and remember that when you review it makes me want to write the next chapter! Thanks for the reviews and keep it up!